| |
|
|
-
The
more structure and preparation you
demonstrate,
the better the interview will
be
-
Do
what you can to fit into their
environment/space;
ask advice of others if necessary.
Your objective is to make the
interview subject feel comfortable,
and willing to share what is
important to them. Ask
yourself:
"How would I want to be
treated if the roles were
reversed?"
-
Treat
the interview like a conversation,
only with more structure.
Prioritize a list of questions in
advance, but follow chance
openings. Just keep in mind your
objectives
-
Do
not agree or disagree with the
person;
do not debate what they have to
say,
but rather listen to understand and
report
-
Know
when to shut up
Listen carefully enough so that
you know when to let your source
pause to collect his or her
thoughts. Don't feel the need to
fill every empty space with
conversation
- Don't be afraid
to say you don't understand,
or need more explanation. Use your
own words to repeat back; ask:
"So what
you're saying is ..."
or "So
let me get this straight..."
- Be willing at
all times to be surprised
Don't think you know what the story
is about.
Don't let your own feelings or bias
shape the questions you ask
- Conduct the
interview "on location"
if possible and/or
appropriate.
It will add to its sense of
place, voice, and story
Research:
The interview
begins before you meet the person!
-
Research
thoroughly whatever public
knowledge
you can find on the person, the
project, the company, and/or events
- Prioritize a
set of objectives and questions
Going in prepared makes you
look even more capable and
competent
Just before the
interview:
-
Dress
neatly and appropriately for
the situation
-
Allow
yourself extra time to get to your
interview.
Traffic, parking problems,
getting lost -- anything can make
you late.
-
When
you arrive early,
look for anything that will
orient you to your subject's
environment, working conditions,
co-workers, etc. Don't be
"nosey" but be alert!
Note
taking:
- Label and date
notes and tapes for easy reference
- While taking
notes,
don't hesitate to ask for
clarifications or better
understanding:
"Could
you repeat that, please? I want
to make sure I get all of that
down."
"I am
not sure I followed that, do you
mean that...."
- Tape record the
interview
though take backup notes of key
points to be safe.
Always test your recorder, its tape
and batteries before you start.
Get permission, in writing or on
the tape, if you tape.
Introductions
(about 5 + minutes)
-
Introduce
yourself and your project
-
Ask
for the person's name, title,
business card,
photograph or digital image,
company logo, etc. as appropriate
-
Try
to make the person you interview
(and yourself!) comfortable.
Some casual conversation is
appropriate as ice-breaker:
express your appreciation for their
time and willingness.
Compliment their office,
directions, your respect for their
achievements, etc.
-
If
this is your first interview,
share that you are developing your
interviewing technique
-
If
you know the person from before,
keep in mind that your project may
require that you be impartial or
neutral to that person's
experience. Make no
assumptions!
-
Offer
a consent form
Transition:
Be aware
of time constraints and your purpose:
look for a convenient jumping off
point to engage the subject
Introductory
questions
-
Be complimentary
to set the tone
-
Demonstrate
your interest and preparation
-
Verify
a few known selected facts,
sequences, etc.
(I
read your biography and saw your
degrees are in....
(The newspaper reported that your
neighborhood has succeeded in...
(In your company's annual report, I
read that the most successful
product line is...
(What prepared you for your success
in...
(How did you become interested
in....)
(I read that you started out as a
chemist, and developed yourself to
become....
(What books or people most
influenced your....
(I see that your position is
responsible for....
(Who were your important role
models or teachers for....
(What was the consequence of....)
Follow
the order and priority of your
questions
-
Develop
more depth/complexity as the
interview develops,
given the comfort level and
opportunity
-
Don't
accuse (Why
DID you ....?"),
rather ask if the person would like
to respond to accusations, or tell
their side, or...
-
Develop
scenes and themes during the
interview
(It
sounds like .... is very
important to you, what/how/...
has it affected...
(What was most significant in....
(What difficulties or challenges
were most important...
(How did you react to....
(How do you see your role in
changing....
(At what point did you know you
wanted to.... How did
you meet this challenge or
change?
(What do you see as your
current/next challenge...
(In the ...., I read that you
said ".........", can
you provide more detail?
(How do you keep track of ....
(Some people say that ...., but
you seem to take another
path. Can you explain the
difference?)
-
Ask
some questions that can be only
answered with a story
This reinforces your interest
in not only getting
"facts" but also the role
your subject has
played. It lends voice
to the narrative, and can
personalize the story for your
readers.
Transition
to conclusion
-
Keep
aware of the time,
and all the topics you need to
cover
-
Ask
if there are additional points
that have not been addressed
-
Summarize
important points
that in order to verify if you
understand correctly
-
Ask
for references for additional
information,
sources for data, or advice for
further development
Conclusion
-
Review
your timeline toward completing
your project
-
Volunteer
to provide your report, article, or
a summary as appropriate
-
Express
sincere appreciation
Types of
interviews:
- Celebrity and
newsmaker
Understanding
who stands behind success or
notoriety
- Professional
profiles
Understanding
professions, careers, companies,
institutions
- Project profiles
Developing
a project history from inspiration (to
conclusion) and consequences
- Oral history
Learning
about past events and experiences
-
Employment
Developing
your interviewing skills will also
help you when you are, in turn,
interviewed
- Person-on-the-street
interviews,:1
Be brief and
friendly, yet businesslike.
Don't walk up to people with a
"sorry to bother you"
attitude. Develop a professional
manner and act the part:
- Identify
yourself and explain what you're
doing.
- Request
permission to ask a few questions
- Ask for the
person's name and where they're
from:
Verify names -- especially
spellings
- Be brief and
look for follow-up possibilities
- Save tougher
questions for near the end of the
interview
- Thank the person
-- remember that anyone who
consents to an interview is doing
you a favor, whether they are
getting anything out of it or not
- If the story is
being published, let the person
know where and what your name is
again
- No matter how
rude someone is to you, be
polite.
Be businesslike. Remind the
person you've approached why
you're there and, if you can,
repeat your question. If the
situation doesn't improve, walk
away. And don't take it
personally.
This
Guide and on-the-street interviews
are based with permission upon Leslie
Rubinkowski tips presented as a
visiting faculty member during the
"News Reporting and Writing
Fellowship for College
Graduates" at The
Poynter Institute, Summer 2002.
See also:
Al-
Fujair Group, Careers, Interviewing
Johnson
and Hill Staffing Services, Mastering
the Interview
Feedback to improve
this page
(please specify which page)
The Study Guides and Strategies web site was created and is
maintained by Joe
Landsberger,
academic web site developer at the University
of St. Thomas (UST), St. Paul, Minnesota. It is collaboratively
maintained across institutional and national boundaries, and last revised
September 04, 2002 .
Permission is granted to freely copy, adapt, print,
transmit, and distribute
Study Guides in settings that benefit learners. On the WWW, however, please link
rather than put up your own page since pages are frequently modified and
improved in consideration of educational research. No request to link is
necessary. Additional contributions and translations are warmly
received.
|
 |
